The Devil and Jimmy Neutron

by Gary D. Snyder

Part 6:

With school over for the day Cindy began walking home with Libby. "I don't get it, Libby," she said. "Carl can't remember two lines of a poem about fleas and the next day he has a poem memorized letter perfect?"

"Oh, come one, Cindy," Libby answered. "You know how it is with Carl and llamas. You remember that one time in kindergarten. He couldn't get that poem right until they changed it to 'Mary Had a Little Llama'. Then he was on it like skin on cafeteria pudding."

"I only have two chances left," Cindy muttered. "I have to do something. But what?"

"Say what?"

"Uh, nothing." Cindy thought fast. Lou had told her that she couldn't make someone do or not do anything, but he had not said anything about asking someone. "Say, Libs, would you do me a favor? A big one?"

Libby stopped walking and looked at her. "Sure thing, Cindy. What is it?"

"Well, you know Sheen…he sort of…he kind of…likes you."

"So?"

Cindy broke into pleading. "Please, whatever you do, don't go on a date with him. At least until Saturday. Please? For me?"

Libby stared at her and then broke into hysterical laughter. "Girl, what are you talking about? Go on a date with Sheen?" And she started laughing even harder. "As if!"

"Then you won't go? Really?"

"Of course not," Libby replied when she finally caught her breath and gained some semblance of composure. "Why would I go on a date with Sheen?" Suddenly she gave Cindy a curious look. "And why would you want me not to? You aren't getting sweet on him, are you?"

"What? No, of course not. It's just that…well…it's…I can't really explain it right now…" Cindy stammered, looking helplessly about her.

Cindy's ramblings were interrupted by Libby's next words. "Well, speak of the devil."

"Where?" Cindy cried in a panic, and then realized that Libby was referring to Sheen. He was running straight towards them across the ball diamond, waving something in his hand.

"Hey, Libby!" he was calling. "Wait up! Guess what I have!"

"Is it catching?" Libby said under her breath, but waited for Sheen to arrive. "What is it, Sheen?" she asked him.

Sheen panted from the exertion of running all the way from home. "Ultra Lord! One night only! Tickets!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," said Libby. "Slow down. Try it again in first gear."

Sheen took a deep breath and started over. "I went home," he explained, "and when I got there I found these!" He thrust a couple of tickets towards her. "I won two tickets to the new Ultra Lord movie special screening at the Retroville Civic Center tomorrow night. Will you go with me? Please?"

Libby looked past Sheen at Cindy, who was shaking her head and giving her a pleading look. "Sorry, Sheen. I'm not really into Ultra Lord." Cindy looked relieved, smiling gratefully.

"But there will be celebrities there!" Sheen protested.

"So?" asked Libby, stifling a yawn.

"Ultra Lord himself will be there!" Sheen wheedled.

"Do tell," replied Libby, smoothing her nails with an emery board.

"Hip Hopalong Cassidy will be there as well!" Sheen tried again.

"So – what? Hip Hopalong Cassidy?" Libby asked excitedly. "Really?"

"Yeah!" said Sheen in delight. "They did a couple songs for the movie and they'll be signing autographs and copies of the soundtrack CD and everything!"

"Hip Hopalong Cassidy," sighed Libby in rapture. "I would give anything to meet them." Then she caught sight of Cindy's tragic expression. "But…I guess I can't," she finished miserably. "Cindy and I have plans already."

Thank you, Cindy thought to herself, giving Libby a grateful look. I owe you big, Libby.

Heartbroken, Sheen watched the two girls turn and walk away. Libby didn't feel much better. "Did you hear that?" she complained to Cindy. "I had a chance to meet one of today's top music groups, even if they were only going to be at some lame superhero movie opening. What's going down with you, anyway?"

"I can't tell you yet," Cindy replied. "I wish I could. But trust me. It's important."

Engrossed in their conversation neither girl heard the distant crack and the faint warning call of "Heads up!" coming from the direction of the ball diamond, or saw the hard line drive heading straight for them. But Sheen did. In classic action movie style he ran forward and dove with admirable timing between Libby and the ball rocketing towards her head. "Noooo!" he cried, just as the ball struck his head instead and left him lying stunned on the ground.

At Sheen's cry Libby whirled to see both him and the ball lying at her feet. Realizing immediately what had happened she dropped to her knees and cradled Sheen's head in her arms. "Sheen? Sheen? Are you all right?" She stroked his forehead gently, noting the growing lump on his temple. "Speak to me, Sheen!"

Sheen slowly opened his eyes, trying to bring blurred images swimming in front of them into focus. "Libby? Hey…when did you…get a…twin sister?"

"Oh, Sheen," Libby said gently, moved with emotion. "That was so brave and sweet of you. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Sheen struggled to speak. "If…I survive…will you go…to…movie with me?"

"Libby…" Cindy begged, although she sensed that it was useless.

"I'm sorry, Cindy," Libby answered, looking up. "But how can I refuse? Sheen just took a baseball for me."

"It was a softball!" Cindy protested.

"Baseball, softball, it's all good," Libby replied. She looked back down at Sheen. "Okay, Sheen." As Libby spoke her next words Cindy thought she could hear a crack of distant thunder as a cloud seemed to pass over the sun. "It's a date."

It was only Tuesday and Cindy had just one chance left.

End of Part 6.